Mackinac Island
By Jeannette Doud 847-3301

The 2007 tourist season came to end Wednesday, October 31, with the closing of Grand Hotel. Cadotte Avenue became very busy and guests could be seen leaving the Island. Many of the famous Mackinac fudge shops sold their final batch as the guests were heading for the boat. Main and Market streets, which have been busy, will reopen in May 2008.

Sunday, November 4, we could see the last of Grand Hotel's employees hurrying to catch the ferry. Best wishes to everyone, to enjoy rest and relaxation following a busy season.

Happy news to report: Our good friend, Joe Kompsi, recently underwent surgery to repair his hip and has returned to his home in St. Ignace, where he is recuperating well. Best wishes to Joe from his many Island friends.

We will celebrate Veterans Day Sunday, November 11. Let us all honor the men and women who have served our great nation.

Happy birthday to Sara Dehring November 8. Have a great day.

It's Monday, November 5, and the Island is unusually quiet. Not many folks can be seen moving about. The weather is rainy, with dark skies and high winds. Acushion of fallen leaves fills the yards and streets, a true reminder of the late fall season.

A recent article in a Michigan newspaper shows a photograph of the Mackinac Bridge with the cement barge Integrity passing under Thursday, November 1, the 50th anniversary of the bridge's opening. I would like to tell our readers that the captain of the Integrity and Jacquilyn M. is David Wellington, son of Mary Wellington and the late Captain James Doud Wellington of Sault Ste. Marie. David is also a nephew of Captain John Wellington of Sault Ste. Marie, and George Wellington of Mackinac.

Morgan Brodeur Bunker will celebrate her birthday November 9. Enjoy your day.

Leo Krzeminski's daughters came up from Detroit to accompany him back to their home, where he will spend the winter. Take care, Leo, we look forward to seeing you in the spring.

Happy birthday to Dr. Mike Bacon November 11. Have a wonderful day.

Traveler and the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destination Scorecard survey, aided by George Washington University, conducted a survey about the islands around the world. We're very happy to report that Mackinac Island rated number eight in the world. We can be very proud of this rating. A panel of 522 experts in sustainable tourism and destination stewardship donated time to review conditions in 111 islands and archipelagos. Mackinac Island is the crown jewel of Michigan, and we all have to work hard to maintain its special ambiance and historical heritage.

The annual Christmas Bazaar is less than a month away. Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 1, Sunday, December 2, and Monday, December 3. Items are still needed for the big auction. You may drop off items at the Mackinac Island Medical Center, or you may also mail them to the medical center. Raffle tickets may be purchased from Sylvia Perault, Doud's Market, Mackinac Island Medical Center, and First National Bank for the 2006 Polaris snowmobile displayed in Doud's Market.

We've all been enjoying riding on Arnold Transit's catamaran. The mighty Huron will be on the run soon, depending on weather conditions.

Many Island merchants will be leaving at the end of the week for a gift show in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

The Cloghaun bed and breakfast closed Sunday, October 28, for the season. Best wishes to Jim Bond, Marty Carey, Paul, and especially Miss Maggie for a restful winter.

Congratulations to Brevin Cawthorne and Heather Hiaeshutter on the birth of their son, Kaden James, Wednesday, September 19. Little Kaden weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 20.5 inches in length at birth. Proud grandparents are Dennis and Cynthia Cawthorne, Steve and Chris Hiaeshutter, and Jill Wiltzer.

Halloween was a happy time for the little tots of the Island. It was fun seeing Kennedy Taylor, little daughter of Josh and Crystal, dressed up in a fantastic outfit resembling a duck. She was celebrating her first Halloween.

Next came Brooke Dziobak, dressed in a darling costume, which was cute and colorful. The children in Harrisonville had a terrific time, especially at Dennis and Jackie Bradley's spook house. Everyone enjoyed trick or treating.

Helga Doud is spending a week in Petoskey visiting her daughter, Anna Mary Cusack and family.

Congratulations to Wendy Crowley on the birth of her daughter, Grace Isabel, Saturday, November 3, at Marquette General Hospital. Grace weighed 9 pounds, 5.2 ounces and measured 21 inches in length at birth.

Friday evening, November 2, from 5 p.m. to midnight, a closing party was held at the Mustang Lounge. It was a night of memories and lots of stories about many happy times spent in the historic old building. Friends came from far and near to thank Dennis Brodeur for many happy days gone by. It was a celebration to remember and reminisce about all the good times enjoyed at the Mustang.

Pat and Maryann Shannon spent the weekend at their cottage in Trillium Heights.

Happy birthday to Ed Chambers and Becki Barnwell, both celebrating November 12. Have a wonderful day.

The Marvin May family has closed May's Fudge shops and returned to Petoskey for the winter months. We miss your light in the neighborhood.

Last week, little Makayla Rickley, daughter of Kathleen and Larry, joined her father and grandfather, Larry Rickley Sr., for her first trip to their hunting camp on Bois Blanc Island. She had a wonderful time.

Pam Finkel and Emily St. Onge will celebrate their birthdays November 13. Have a great day.

It was great to see Mac and Brenda Armstrong from South Hampton, Ontario, back on Mackinac over the weekend. They attended the Mustang party, where they greeted their many friends. They traveled to Sault Ste. Marie Saturday, November 3, where they visited Mona Carley.

Many Island men are getting their hunting camps ready for the big day Thursday, November 15. Some will travel to Bois Blanc Island, others will go to different camps on the mainland.

Several people from the Island traveled to East Lansing Saturday, November 3, for the football game between Michigan State Uni- versity and the University of Michigan. Jason St. Onge joined his brother, Eric, for all the festivities. Glenn and Deana St. Onge were on Mackinac for the Mustang party.

Visiting the Joe Gugin family is Nikki's mother, Mary Lee Moothart, from Fairfield, Iowa.

The Mackinac Island Lakers varsity basketball team has started to practice for the upcoming season. Their first games will be Friday, November 30, and Saturday, December 1.

Have a great week!